A manhunt is underway after an inmate escaped from HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire.

Gary Rootham, 42, absconded from the prison on Friday and was last seen by staff shortly before 5 PM. He was wearing a dark Nike polo shirt, dark jogging bottoms, and black trainers with white soles.

Avon and Somerset Police have issued a warning to the public not to approach Rootham but to call 999 if they see him.

Rootham is described as being around 5ft 11ins tall, with short dark brown hair and usually clean-shaven. He was serving sentences for driving, robbery, and burglary offenses. He has known links to Reading and Cornwall.

The escape comes a day after a similar incident in London, where police launched a manhunt for an inmate from HMP Wormwood Scrubs who went on the run after being moved to a hospital. Graham Gomm, 63, was arrested and returned to jail this morning.